Shoe

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a shoe characterised in that it comprises a bent, relatively rigid holding piece ( 1 ) having an upper part ( 11 ) which comes over the top of the foot ( 2 ), a central part ( 12 ) connecting the upper part ( 11 ) to the sole ( 3 ), and a lower part ( 13 ) fixed in the sole ( 3 ), the rigidity of the holding part ( 1 ) being sufficient to hold the sole ( 3 ) beneath the foot ( 2 ) when the foot is raised, with only one fixing point on the sole ( 3 ).

The invention relates to a new type of shoe, similar to the sandal, but whose system of holding the shoe under the foot is simpler and more discreet, almost invisible if it is covered with a decorative element.

The principle is to replace the straps that have two or three anchor points in the sole and that visually block much of the foot by—for non limiting example—a visually discreet steel leaf, passing between the toes and with three or four centimetres only turned down over the top of the foot and adapted to be hidden by a decorative element; this folded leaf forming, in side view, an inverted L, being sufficiently rigid so as not to require a second anchor point in the sole. It can also be a part made of rigid plastic.

This shoe thus comprises a relatively rigid, bent holding part whose upper part comes over the top of the foot, the central part connects the upper part to the sole and the lower part is attached in the sole, the rigidity of this holding part being sufficient so that with only one point of attachment to the sole it holds the latter under the foot when it is raised.

The central part of the holding part passes between two toes and a section of the upper part is close to the longitudinal axis of the foot, in order to prevent the sole from tilting laterally.

The holding part is adapted to different feet thicknesses by elastic deformation if, for non-limiting example, it is constituted by steel leaf spring, piano wire or plastic.

Another possibility is to make the angle between the central part and the upper part of the holding part be more open than necessary; the holding part is adapted to different feet thicknesses by permanent deformation, plastic, by turning down with the thumb the upper part over the top of the foot. A decorative object can be attached over the top of the upper part of the holding part. This decorative object can also perform the function of at least a part of the holding part, for example to serve as upper part of the latter.

All the parts of the holding part in contact with the foot are covered with a protective material for the foot. The holding part is a folded metallic rod, leaf.

The part of the metallic rod forming the upper part of the holding part is curved forming a loop increasing its contact surface with the foot,

In order to avoid the possible rotation of the foot relative to the sole, at least a part of the periphery of the sole turns up, forming an abutment. This abutment can be maintained using a small rigid support angle inserted into the sole; the central part of the holding part is sufficiently long and high in order to also form an abutment between the toes.

An object that has a decorative element on its upper face, a lower face of a protective material for the foot and, between these two faces, an opening, a slot, adapted to receive and hold the upper part of the holding part can be fastened to it.

Easy disassembly and reassembly of the decorative element without tool enables the owner of the shoe to change it at will.

The accompanying drawings illustrate the invention in a non-limiting manner.

FIG. 1 shows the shoe in side view

FIG. 2 shows the shoe in top view

FIGS. 3, 4 show different possibilities of associations of the holding part/decorative object.

Referring to the drawings, the shoe is constituted by a sole (3), a holding part (1) and a decorative object (5). The holding part (1) is made of a folded steel leaf with high elastic limit whose lower part (13) is bonded into the sole (3). The central part (12) is long and curved and takes, with a protective foam that covers it, the shape of the space between the toes. Its upper part (11) is covered by a decorative object (5).

The decorative object 5 (FIG. 3) is bonded to a flexible tube (52). The upper part (11) is pushed into this tube which is held tight by the latter. The tube also serves to protect the foot (2).

Another possible system (FIG. 6) is a holding part (1), itself decorative (5), for example a molded plastic piece that has its male central part (12) that is clipped into another female piece (13), non cylindrical so as not to turn, lodged in the sole (13).

In order to hold a part (31) of the edge of the sole (3) substantially vertical to form an abutment, a small metallic or plastic support angle can be bonded under the upper face of the sole (3), especially if the latter is manufactured in a flexible, foam plastic material. This face can also be anti slippery or be coated on its rear part by a repositionable adhesive. 

1.-12. (canceled)
 13. A shoe with a holding part whose lower part is attached to the sole, the central part passing between two toes connects the upper part to the sole, the shoe characterized in that the holding part is a leaf whose upper is folded over the top of the foot, the rigidity of this holding part being sufficient such that with only one point of attachment to the sole it holds the latter under the foot when it is raised, rigidity sufficient in order to not to require a second anchoring point in the sole, second, a decorative object, with disassembly and reassembly without tools can be attached on the holding part.
 14. A shoe according to claim 13 characterized in that the holding part is made of rigid plastic.
 15. A shoe according to claim 13 characterized in that comprises only one point of attachment to the sole.
 16. A shoe according to claim 13 characterized in that the decorative object has a decorative element on its upper face, a lower face, and between these two faces an opening, a slot adapted to receive and hold the upper part of the holding part.
 17. A shoe according to claim 13 characterized in that the decorative object can serve as upper part of the holding part.
 18. A shoe according to claim 13 wherein characterized in that holding part is adapted to different thicknesses of foot by elastic deformation.
 19. A shoe according to claim 13 characterized in that the angle between the central part and upper part of the holding part is adapted to different thicknesses of feet by permanent deformations, plastic, by folding the upper part over the top of the foot.
 20. A shoe according to claim 13 characterized in that a part from the periphery of the sole turns up, forming a abutment preventing rotation of the foot relative to the sole.
 21. A shoe according to claim 13 characterized in that a section of the upper part is close to the longitudinal axis of the foot.
 22. A shoe according to claim 13 characterized in that the central part of the holding part is sufficiently long and high to form an abutment between the toes, preventing rotation of the foot relative to the sole. 